The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper (pdf), seeking comments on the valuation & reserve price of spectrum for the 2100 megahertz (MHz) band. The Department of Telecom (DoT) wants to conduct the auction of spectrum under the 2100 MHz band that is expected to be released by the Defence Department along with the auction of spectrum in the 800/900/1800 MHz bands scheduled for February 2015. This is the reason TRAI had to expedite the process of recommendation on the reserve price of the 2100 MHz band. This consultation paper addresses key issues like the rollout obligations, spectrum cap, different models for valuation of spectrum & estimation of reserve price of spectrum. Various stakeholders can submit their views by December 15, 2014 and counter-comments by December 19, 2014 to trai.jams@gmail.com. TRAI has also informed that an Open House Discussion will be held on 22nd December, 2014 in New Delhi. Availability of spectrum in the 2100 MHz band via spectrum release from current Defense allotment DoT is currently discussing possibilities of the Defence Department releasing spectrum in the 2100 MHz band. Defence might release one block of 5 MHz in the 2100 MHz band in 17 service areas, which would be made available for the auction. Defence had earlier released 4 blocks of 5 MHz each in the 2100 MHz band out of the 5 blocks of 5 MHz allotted to DoT under the MoU with Defence. DoT now wants Defence to release the remaining one block. There is also…
